Montreux

Montreux: where music and the beauty of the landscape meet

Nestled between Lake Geneva and the Alps, Montreux enjoys spectacular landscapes and a gentle way of life which, already in the 18th century, attracted the great names of literature and music. Montreux is divided between remarkable Belle Époque style buildings, flowery quays and steep streets of its old town.

This magnificent setting has hosted the Montreux Jazz Festival for 58 years, voted best European festival in 2023, the Septembre Musical, an essential classical music festival since 1946, and the Montreux Choral Festival and the Cultural Season, which anchor popular music throughout the year. year round in the heart of the city.

Historically, the 1961 Rose d’Or Festival was the first festival organized in Montreux. This international variety show competition subsequently revealed many talents, such as Monty Python, the musical Hair, Benny Hill, Mister Bean, the Russian clown Popov or the Muppet Show.

In parallel with the Rose d’Or, the “Montreux Pop Festival” and the “Montreux Rock Festival” were created. Such famous names as Sting, Freddie Mercury, Elton John and many other renowned singers and musicians have given concerts there.

Over the years, these international events have become essential meetings for fans of music, shows and the performing arts.

For Montreux, festivals represent an extraordinary musical and cultural heritage. Like Claude Nobs, founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, its directors and partners have demonstrated great modernity and openness to new technologies and trends, always reinventing themselves and developing new concepts and unique events.

Today, the musical offering is complemented by excellent music venues such as the Montreux Vevey Riviera Conservatory, the NED Music Club, the Casino, the Funky Claude’s Bar, the Claude Nobs Foundation and its Chalets or the Queen Studio Experience that brings the city to life to the rhythm of music. The Montreux Exhibition and Congress Center (2m2c), and its famous Stravinsky Auditorium, is at the heart of this musical excitement. This hall with its extraordinary acoustics hosts a variety of performances throughout the year, becoming a symbol of the city’s vibrant music scene. From intimate bars to larger concert halls, the diversity of venues allows a multitude of musical genres to flourish, providing a varied and captivating musical experience.

This blend of musical heritage and scenic beauty makes it a captivating destination for music lovers and travelers alike. It is therefore natural that Montreux cultivates the tradition of hospitality, being, among other things, equipped with a quality hotel portfolio and an internationally renowned congress and music center. Its international schools linked to hospitality also ensure that values ​​of excellence are transmitted to students around the world.

Whether exploring the historical origins of jazz or witnessing innovative performances, music lovers are sure to be immersed in a world where music resonates against a backdrop of alpine majesty.

Current musical projects:

Infrastructure development: Montreux is investing in new cultural and artistic spaces to support the local and international music scene. Recording studios, rehearsal spaces and multifunctional cultural centers are being built to stimulate the creativity of artists.

Musical education: Montreux promotes musical training by collaborating with local and international institutions. Educational programs, workshops and artist residencies provide young talents with the opportunity to develop their skills and connect with industry professionals.

Promotion of diversity: Montreux celebrates musical diversity by highlighting artists from different cultural and musical backgrounds. Thematic festivals and cross-border collaborations are encouraged to celebrate the richness of world music and foster cultural exchange.

An ambitious action plan

• deploy music in urban development
• encourage the emergence of young talents
• bring to life, at local and international levels, the musical creativity which is already part of the city’s DNA
• revalue and put into perspective the history of Montreux music